I once tried to explain to an American friend what “middle class” meant in the UK vs USA.
Long story short; it’s complicated.
It’s not entirely related wealth or education but they are big factors.
You can’t join the aristocracy via wealth alone.
At best you’d probably end up upper middle class if you were educated i.e. Public School followed by Oxford or Cambridge. Maybe your children or grandchildren could if you really have enough money. Becoming an MP would probably help you turn money into a title.
“Public” schools, like Eton, are the fee paying alternative to a “private” tutor. They’re not be confused with schools “for the plebs”.
You’ll certainly need land if want to join the Gentry.
Traditionally, the difference between a Forest and a Wood is that the Forest was once land populated by Commoners (that’s the middle and working class) that someone in the Aristocracy put a fence around and claimed exclusive right to hunt deer on.
To this day councils have to pay people to walk the ancient Footpaths and Bridleways every year to stop would be aristocrats claiming the as part of their land.
And if you wear brown shoes and a white shirt to the wrong interview in the City you’re not getting the job.
As I said, it’s complicated. Complicated and silly.
Long story short; it’s complicated.
It’s not entirely related wealth or education but they are big factors.
You can’t join the aristocracy via wealth alone.
At best you’d probably end up upper middle class if you were educated i.e. Public School followed by Oxford or Cambridge. Maybe your children or grandchildren could if you really have enough money. Becoming an MP would probably help you turn money into a title.
“Public” schools, like Eton, are the fee paying alternative to a “private” tutor. They’re not be confused with schools “for the plebs”.
You’ll certainly need land if want to join the Gentry.
Traditionally, the difference between a Forest and a Wood is that the Forest was once land populated by Commoners (that’s the middle and working class) that someone in the Aristocracy put a fence around and claimed exclusive right to hunt deer on.
To this day councils have to pay people to walk the ancient Footpaths and Bridleways every year to stop would be aristocrats claiming the as part of their land.
And if you wear brown shoes and a white shirt to the wrong interview in the City you’re not getting the job.
As I said, it’s complicated. Complicated and silly.